Behind the wheel of a race car, Jim Shampine was a true champion. Shampine gained fame driving his super-modified car at the speedway where he broke nearly every track record that existed.
 

Knowledgeable in engines and a racing innovator, Shampine is also recognized for having revolutionized the design and construction of super-modifieds. In 1977, he built a radical offset design car which is now standard for super-modifieds.
 

Later in his career, Shampine embarked on a sprint car driving career and he won his debut race at the Rolling Wheels Raceway near Auburn.

Despite his untimely death at the age of 41 in a Labor Day crash in 1982, Shampine was the winningest driver in the history of the Oswego Speedway. Known for his 8-ball car, Shampine won a career-record 87 super-modified races. The Oswego Speedway Hall of Famer also captured five modified races and seven track titles. 
 

Career highlights:

1959: Began drag racing at ESTA Safety Park in Cicero.

1962: Began racing at Oswego Speedway

1969: Won first race at Pocono

1970: Rolling Wheels Dirt Track Champion

1970: Won Oswego Track Championship and Oswego Classic titles.

1971: Won Oswego Speedway modified Sportsman 200.

1974: Won 13 feature races, won the Big Three races (Classic, Track Championship and Bud Modified 200)

1977: Built radical offset design car, now standard for super-modifieds.

1978: Won 13 consecutive races at Oswego.

1980: Became first driver to lead all 200 laps of Oswego Classic.

Oswego Speedway records:

Won 87 super-modified races at Oswego
Won 5 modified races at Oswego
All-time super-modified winner at Oswego

Won three Oswego Classic, seven track titles
Holds record of 13:50 min. for 45-lap feature